Electrical Controls Engineer

Brightpath Associates LLC; Grove City (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightpath Associates LLC is seeking an electrical controls engineer to design hardware and PLC software for automotive manufacturing equipment. The role emphasizes practical, hands-on experience across multiple engineering stages.

You will contribute to hardware and software design, in-house trials, on-site commissioning, and production support. Expect travel, OT, and collaboration with customers and internal teams to ensure smooth project execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on electrical hardware design experience.
• 5+ years PLC debugging and equipment startup/commissioning.
• Experience with Omron or Toyopuc PLC platforms.
• Experience with DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, CC‑Link or equivalent networks.
• Willingness to travel and work overtime, weekends, holidays, and night shifts.

Responsibilities

• Develop PLC-based automation for automotive manufacturing equipment.
• Design electrical panels, field boxes, wiring diagrams, and related documents.
• Develop I/O lists, PLC programs, and HMIs.
• On-site tryout and commissioning: troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, I/O and safety functions.
• Prepare estimates, manage engineering labor hours and procurement.
• Coordinate requirements and schedules with customers and internal teams.

Skills

Electrical hardware design

PLC debugging & commissioning

Industrial networks

Servo & VFD control

Tools

Omron

Toyopuc

DeviceNet

EtherNet/IP

CC‑Link

Job description

This position is responsible for a broad range of electrical and controls engineering activities, including electrical hardware design, PLC software design, in-house equipment tryout, on-site equipment startup and commissioning, and production support at customer facilities.

We are seeking a candidate with practical, hands‑on experience who is capable of supporting projects across multiple stages of electrical and controls engineering work.

Key Responsibilities

1. Equipment and Control Systems

This position is primarily responsible for PLC controls and related automation systems used in automotive manufacturing equipment.

Typical equipment includes:

• Robotic welding and material handling (matehan) systems
• Welding fixtures and other automated manufacturing equipment
• Turntables, trunnion tables, and transfer systems

2. Hardware Design

• Review and interpret customer specifications for control panels, field boxes, VFDs, servo motors, sensors, actuators, safety devices, industrial networks, and related equipment
• Design and create electrical drawings, including electrical schematics, control panel drawings, field box drawings, I/O drawings, cable drawings, and related documentation
• Prepare related technical documents, such as wiring instructions
• Select electrical components and manage purchased components and materials

3. Software Design

• Review and interpret customer specifications, including equipment and controls specifications
• Design and develop I/O lists, PLC programs, and HMI screens

4. In-House Tryout and On-Site Commissioning

• Check, troubleshoot, and adjust PLCs, HMIs, communication systems, I/O, and safety functions
• Check individual operation of cylinders, motors, robots, and other equipment, as well as coordinated operation between systems
• Verify interlocks, fault handling, and automatic operation
• Support automatic equipment trials, production trials, and cycle-time adjustment
• Investigate equipment issues, make necessary program changes, and provide production support

5. Estimating and Budget Management

Prepare and manage estimates, engineering labor hours, component procurement, and related electrical and controls work.

6. Technical Coordination and Reporting

• Coordinate technical requirements and project schedules with customers and internal departments
• Provide progress updates during each stage of the work

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of practical experience in electrical hardware design, or equivalent hands‑on capability
• 5+ years of practical experience in PLC debugging and manufacturing equipment startup and commissioning, or equivalent hands‑on capability
• Hands‑on experience with at least one of the following PLC platforms:
• Omron
• Toyopuc
• Hands‑on experience with DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, CC‑Link, or equivalent industrial networks
• Hands‑on experience with VFD and servo motor control
• Ability to travel and work overtime, weekends, holidays, and night shifts as required
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with equipment startup and commissioning for automotive welding systems, robot cells, material handling systems, or transfer systems
• Experience supervising electrical wiring or on‑site installation work
• Experience providing work instructions to contractors or external electrical wiring companies
• Experience with PLC platforms other than those listed in the required qualifications.

Work Location

Work may be performed at:

• In office
• Customer sites in US, Canada and Mexico.

Work location may vary depending on project requirements.

Travel Requirements

• Travel frequency will vary depending on project requirements
• Weekend, holidays, night shift, and extended-hour work may be required during equipment startup, commissioning, and production support.

Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your electrical engineering expertise will power innovative solutions! We value proactive problem-solvers who thrive in collaborative environments focused on engineering excellence and continuous improvement.

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Which PLC Platform do you have experience on: